Blog:The Russian invasion – first stop: Scotland

The recent use of Russia’s natural resources to propel a formerly mediocre football club to the top of the English Premier league is well-documented. Now those funds could be venturing into Scotch territory.

The Moscow Whisky Club, launched with the help of Scottish ex-pats in Moscow, is to visit Islay in Scotland next month, with a view to snapping up a whisky distillery.

Alan Thompson, deputy chieftain of the St Andrew Society in Moscow, confirmed approaches by Russians interested in a distillery, but declined to name them.

“Some Russians have got so much money they fling it at anything, perhaps even for a laugh,” he said. “Questions have been asked about distilleries in Scotland, and they have been provided with a concrete understanding of the product and pushed towards the right channels.”

Prepare yourself, Scotland. It looks like the Russians really are coming.